Dear Prof. Ward I reached here last evening. find the weather is usually cold for this region and season, but yet much pleasanter and warmer than at home. I got through without much fatigue, and today am feeling as well as when I left home. I purpose to remain here a fortnight or so - long enough to become well accustomed to the climate, then go north to the Kansas Pacific and west on that line. I want to stop at Wallace, Kas. a few days - in the midst of the chalk - and look about a little; but shall work steadily toward higher altitude. I see that the Kansas and Union Pacific
have been consolidated, so your pass, I suppose, covers both. If it should chance that Henry has a little spare time before going over to Cala. he might go via Kansas and stop off a while with me. I should be far from sorry if he could do so. When Henry's movements are decided, I will conform my plans to his, so as to take advantage of the pass. Have you obtained any Antelope yet? I am told here that they can be had (purchased) not far west from here. I do not count much on the information but in case it should be correct, how many skins are wanted? Any skeletons or young? Prof. Wilder wants a skeleton. He gave me a list of material which may be furnished to the amount of $200. - principally Carnivora (hearts, brains, skulls, skins and foetuses). He seems to be affected with a sort of Felidae mania; and anything
in the line of cats is a special desideratum. From what he said I should imagine that your "word" in my favor was rather unqualified. I was sorry not to have had time and strength to go about the University a little. I mail with this a M.C.Z. skeleton list which I sometime ago appropriated. If someone can conveniently check such American species as have been furnished, and return list, I will be on the lookout for species wanted, of which I believe a number - especially of birds, - are western forms, and not uncommon. I hope soon to interview a "Prairie Dog" colony and forward results. In case there should be foetuses should you want any? If there is any work that I can do which can bear the delay of transit, I shall be glad to attend to it. If a mammal list can be checked with species furnished
I will prepare "copy" for remaining labels; if that will be any help. I have the necessary literature, except for bats. The egg catalogue MSS. I shall begin on at once. Please give my regards to Mrs. Ward and all members of the family. Henry, I hope is steadily gaining. I should be glad to have a line whenever convenient, as I am far enough from home to make letters not unwelcome, Respectfully yours Arthur B. Baker I would not have written with pencil had there been opportunity to use ink.